Murim Login - Chapter 405

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 405
– Then we shall commence operations at 06:30 tomorrow. All designated battle fronts must execute the orders with flawless precision.
Click.
With Wei Penghu, the Defense Minister, concluding his remarks, the conference ended.
Gazing at the five monitors now dark, Lee Jung-ryong Vice Guild Master of the Ares Guild leaned back in his chair.
‘The pace is accelerating. Far faster than anticipated.’
This was no war that would end easily, nor should it end easily.
China was a hunter superpower possessing countless hunters, yet simultaneously a closed nation. It was one of the few countries where the Ares Guild, which had extended its mercenary operations across the globe, had failed to establish a proper foothold.
For this reason, Lee Jung-ryong did not wish for China’s stability. The greater the damage China sustained, the wider the cracks through which he could wedge himself.
Over a million casualties? Hundreds of trillions in property damage?
What did it matter to him? This monster wave was a calamity for some, but for Lee Jung-ryong, it was an opportunity.
Yet….
‘Jin Tae-kyung. That man remains the problem.’
Lee Jung-ryong raised a finger and slowly tapped the table.
He understood well enough that worldly affairs did not flow as one wished, but in recent times, whenever Jin Tae-kyung repeatedly obstructed his path, a particular thought would surface.
‘He is dangerous.’
The fascination he had felt upon first learning of Jin Tae-kyung’s existence had long since faded like a washed-away memory.
If a child who barely reached one’s waist had grown considerably taller in mere months and now met one’s gaze directly, an adult could only be taken aback.
And if that child’s growth had not yet ceased?
‘He would become even more dangerous.’
If the Arch Lich’s rampage had been an opportunity for Lee Jung-ryong, it had been wings for Jin Tae-kyung.
He had achieved truly extraordinary feats and now basked in the world’s spotlight.
Another war had birthed another hero. Just as the heroes of that chaotic age of upheaval had emerged.
‘People fear the strong while coveting them, but heroes are revered.’
Lee Jung-ryong understood this truth well. And if this war concluded with Jin Tae-kyung’s exploits, if it truly came to pass, then at that moment….
Crack.
Aura-infused fingertips had pierced through solid wood and reduced it to powder.
Lee Jung-ryong gazed silently down at the table with its hollow center.
Even if it was merely a small hole now, if its size continued to expand, there would come a point beyond recovery. The hole must be sealed before the table collapses.
“Have the security team leader come in.”
As a low voice flowed from Lee Jung-ryong’s lips, someone waiting outside the door rose from their post.
Not long after, familiar footsteps crossed the threshold and entered.
“You called for me.”
Jin Tae-kyung was not the only one who had changed in this short span of time.
Seok Go-jun, the right hand and security team leader of Vice Guild Master Lee Jung-ryong, had undergone considerable transformation.
Eyes sunken deep with shadow and a parched voice. Those few who knew the circumstances whispered that his already austere impression had grown more grim since his defeat at Jin Tae-kyung’s hands, but Lee Jung-ryong’s assessment differed.
“You look good.”
“I have achieved some modest progress.”
“Excessive humility is unseemly. You earned considerable merit on today’s battlefield—you deserve the praise.”
“…Thank you.”
Today, the sudden assault by monster legions targeting five battle fronts left devastating casualties, but the Northern Front under Lee Jung-yong’s command proved to be the exception.
The elite forces of the Ares Guild, who had maintained their strength through passive engagement until now, slaughtered the monster legion, and Seok Go-jun single-handedly eliminated the two Death Knights that served as the commanders.
“What are our losses?”
“Eleven severely wounded and forty-six lightly wounded. No fatalities. The severely wounded will require more time to recover, but all the lightly wounded have already been healed.”
The four thousand casualties among Hunters and soldiers had no place in this conversation.
Lee Jung-yong asking and Seok Go-jun answering—for these two, only the Ares Guild was their ally.
“It’s unfortunate, really. I never expected the Commander to meet such a gruesome end. He was quite a capable man, too…”
At Lee Jung-yong’s trailing words, Seok Go-jun’s eyes flickered with a gloomy light.
“I apologize. I did my best to stop them, but there were simply too many monsters.”
“It couldn’t be helped. The body was properly recovered?”
“The damage was too severe, so we had no choice but to cremate him. The same applies to the staff officers who died with the Commander.”
“Well done. Ah, you’re aware that General Wang O-chun has become the new Commander, yes?”
“Yes. I was just exchanging greetings with him on the way here.”
The fact that General Wang O-chun and Seok Go-jun were not meeting for the first time was a secret known only to a select few, including Lee Jung-yong.
For several years now, the two had occasionally shared meals at an inconspicuous safe house, and each time, General Wang O-chun’s car trunk grew heavier.
“What did he say?”
“He said he looks forward to working together going forward.”
A faint smile formed at the corners of Lee Jung-yong’s mouth.
“Indeed. He’s a comrade-in-arms we’ll fight alongside.”
By now, he must be delighted at the thought of taking on such an important position, utterly unaware that this entire sequence of events was far more than mere fortune.
The previous Commander, now reduced to a handful of ashes, had been in the process of drafting a report regarding the Ares Guild’s passive combat engagement.
“Guard him well. We can’t afford to lose another Commander.”
“Understood.”
On the battlefield, one never knows what might happen.
A commander with poor relations could be torn to shreds by monsters, or a corrupt military general with a taste for money could be appointed as the new Commander.
Lee Jung-yong, in considerably better spirits, opened his mouth.
“You’ll have a hard time starting tomorrow, so get some good rest tonight.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
“Advance as swiftly as possible. Sweep away the remaining monsters, they said.”
“A mobile operation, then. Has this order been issued to all fronts?”
Lee Jung-yong nodded.
Starting tomorrow morning, the five battle fronts, including the Northern Front, would execute mobile operations, and within days they would establish a tight encirclement around the monster legion, cutting off all escape routes.
“They’ve certainly suffered considerable losses, but the numbers still seem formidable.”
“What do you think is this nation’s greatest asset? Even as we speak, hundreds of transport aircraft are ferrying Hunters from across China. Even low-rank Hunters can serve as cannon fodder.”
Lee Jung-yong continued, speaking in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Focus on minimizing the Guild’s casualties. Should the need arise…”
Lee Jung-yong gazed at the table with profound eyes.
“We may need to fill some gaps.”
“…I will keep that in mind.”
Though his words were cryptic, Lee Jung-yong was to Seok Go-jun a revered mentor and a figure akin to a deity.
Seok Go-jun nodded silently without raising any particular objections, when he suddenly realized he had failed to ask an important question.
“What is our final destination?”
Lee Jung-yong answered not with words, but by raising his hand and pointing to one location. A map of Sichuan Province that covered the entire wall.
Whoosh! A gust of wind shot from his fingertip, piercing through a section of the map. Seok Go-jun’s gaze fell upon the place name written beside the hole.
Suining City.
The place where everything in this crisis had begun. The Arch Lich was there.
* * *
The next morning at dawn, those who awoke realized they had been divided into two categories.
Those departing and those remaining.
Naturally, I belonged to the former, while Choi Team Leader and Shao Shen fell into the latter.
And only after the time of departure drew near did these two finally come to their senses and begin to resist the fact that they would be staying behind.
“Jin Tae-kyung. I’m perfectly fine.”
“I’m perfectly fine, Elder Brother!”
“I can fight.”
“I’m confident I can fight harder than anyone!”
…What is this, an echo?
Watching Choi Team Leader and Shao Shen cry out with stern faces, I had no choice but to propose one thing.
“Well then. If you can last ten minutes against me, I’ll take you with us.”
“….”
“…..”
– Are you seriously calling that a proposal? You heartless, cunning creature.
Heartless? That’s rich.
If anything, those two are the ones without conscience. They can barely move properly, yet they’re asking to be taken to the battlefield.
It’s admirable to burn with fighting spirit, but if they went to the front in this condition, they’d be dead meat.
‘And what’s with an undead lecturing me about conscience anyway.’
Psh. Absolutely ridiculous.
After mentally scoffing at them, I continued speaking to the two whose spirits had been thoroughly dampened.
“For now, focus on recovery. After a few days of restoring your senses and regaining your stamina, then you might be deployed to the front. That goes for you too, Shen, not just you, Team Leader.”
“Hmm.”
“Mmm.”
They still looked reluctant, but at least now they seemed to be accepting it to some degree.
In fact, both of them were aware of their current physical condition, so they couldn’t push the matter any further.
“Well then, I should be heading off… Oh.”
I had forgotten something.
I pretended to rummage through my spatial expansion pouch, then retrieved that item I had stored in my inventory and held it out.
“Here.”
Shao Shen blinked his eyes.
“…Elder Brother?”
“Why aren’t you taking it? Your arm will fall off.”
Shao Shen, who had taken what I offered in bewilderment, asked with a confused expression.
“What is this?”
“A gift. Someone I know entrusted it to me, and I thought it would be better in your hands.”
“A legendary blade like this?”
“Why? Do you dislike it?”
“Oh, no, it’s not that. I’m just wondering if I’m worthy of receiving something like this…”
Shao Shen, waving his hands urgently, grasped the hilt of the Hero’s Soul with hazy eyes.
Nearly perfect weight distribution and balance. From the transparent blade emanated an aura that could not be concealed.
The young man swallowed hard and asked.
“Are you really sure I can accept this?”
“I’m not just giving it away—I’m giving it because you’re worthy.”
“Worthy… you say?”
“Yes, worthy.”
The courage you displayed in the last battle. Your sacrifice for others. That’s enough.
I’ve wielded a spear for a long time now, and keeping it would only let it gather dust in my inventory.
I judged that Shao Shen, a fellow Chinese and member of the Public Security Armed Forces, was more suited to it than I am.
‘The fact that he grasped the hilt without incident means the blade has acknowledged him too.’
The Skeleton Warlord grumbled quietly.
– I can wield a sword well too… I like swords…
Huh? What did you say?
I can barely hear the words of that coward who screamed when he secretly grabbed the Hero’s Soul from my inventory at dawn.
– …Hmph, fine then. Such a cheap blade is hardly befitting of this commander!
“…”
What are you talking about? There’s someone else who wanted it more, and they’re staying quiet.
Since it came to mind, I glanced cautiously at Choi Team Leader.
Truth be told, I agonized over it until the very end. Whether to give the Hero’s Soul to Shao Shen or to Choi Team Leader.
After all, Choi Team Leader is human too, and he might feel slighted.
But it seems all my worries were unfounded.
“Congratulations, Commander Shen. You’ve obtained a truly magnificent blade.”
At Choi Team Leader’s sincere congratulations, Shao Shen finally came to his senses, alternating his gaze between the Hero’s Soul and him.
His eyes showed conflict. Yet soon, a clear smile spread across his face.
“I don’t think this blade is meant for me.”
“…?”
“Teacher Choi. Would you accept this blade in my place?”
This was an unexpected turn of events. But still.
‘That’s a fine sight.’
Though Choi Team Leader politely declined, Shao Shen’s resolve was already firm, and his will proved stronger.
As I watched the two of them exchange the blade back and forth, I quietly slipped out of the ward and moved on.
Before closing the door, Choi Team Leader’s voice faintly reached my ears.
“Among all the blades I’ve ever seen, this one is the most precious to me.”
Yes, then that settles it.
I strode forward with powerful steps through the assembled troops that had already gathered.
The curtain of soldiers parted before me, their gazes filled with awe and reverence.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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